festivals of Odissa :
Bali Jatra or Yatra - November - December
Exactly on the dates of Karam Festival, the tribal people of Koraput observe the festival of Bali Jatra. Beginning from the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of 'Bhadrab' it continues upto the full-moon.
The beginning of the festival begins with 'Nuakhia' or feasting. On this day new rice is eaten. The festival takes the name for planting of various grains in the wet sand (Bali) brought from a nearby stream and is placed on a structure called 'Bali Jatra' or sand house.
This is an occasion for a number of other celebrations too. Men and women put on fancy dresses and rejoice with drinking, feasting, dancing and singing. In some areas a swing is set up with its seat studded with sharp nails and on this a 'Bejju' (witch doctor) is made to swing. Goats, fowls and pigeons are sacrificed. The Bejju then walks on the bed of live charcoal. He dances in trance for all the three days with intermittent rest.
Joranda Mela - February
Popularly known as 'Mahima Mela', it is celebrated at Joranda in Dhenkanal district on 'Magha Purnima' day. People from far and near congregate here and a big fair takes place for three days. 'Mahima Sanyasis' worship "Mahima Gosain's Samadhi Pitha" on this occasion. It is during this period that the initiation for promoting "Bairagi" to "Apara Sanyasi" (superior caste of disciples in Mahima Sect) takes place.
Makar Mela
'Makar Sankranti' is celebrated with gusto in mid-January when the Sun enters the orbit of Capricorn. Sun God is worshipped with great fervour and enthusiasm by one and all.
The festival can be best enjoyed at Kalijai (an island in Chilika), Atri, Ghatgaon, Keonjhar, Jashipur and Jagatsinghpur.
Taratarini Mela
The 'Taratarini Mela' one of Orissa's biggest fairs, takes place on each Tuesdays of the month of 'Chaitra' i.e. from around mid-March to mid-April at Taratarini Pitha, 30-km from Berhampur. A grand congregation takes place on the 3rd Tuesday.
Chandrabhaga Fair
The Chandrabhaga Fair is one of the most popular and colorful fairs of Orissa. It is held on the seventh day of Magha (January-February) at a beach close to Konark in Orissa for seven days. The fair is held in honor of the Sun God, who is said to have cured Sri Krishna's son Shambhu from leprosy. Pilgrims from various parts of India and abroad congregate here every year to take a dip in the holy waters and offer their prayers to the Sun God.
Bali Jatra or Yatra - November - December
Exactly on the dates of Karam Festival, the tribal people of Koraput observe the festival of Bali Jatra. Beginning from the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of 'Bhadrab' it continues upto the full-moon.
The beginning of the festival begins with 'Nuakhia' or feasting. On this day new rice is eaten. The festival takes the name for planting of various grains in the wet sand (Bali) brought from a nearby stream and is placed on a structure called 'Bali Jatra' or sand house.
This is an occasion for a number of other celebrations too. Men and women put on fancy dresses and rejoice with drinking, feasting, dancing and singing. In some areas a swing is set up with its seat studded with sharp nails and on this a 'Bejju' (witch doctor) is made to swing. Goats, fowls and pigeons are sacrificed. The Bejju then walks on the bed of live charcoal. He dances in trance for all the three days with intermittent rest.
Joranda Mela - February
Popularly known as 'Mahima Mela', it is celebrated at Joranda in Dhenkanal district on 'Magha Purnima' day. People from far and near congregate here and a big fair takes place for three days. 'Mahima Sanyasis' worship "Mahima Gosain's Samadhi Pitha" on this occasion. It is during this period that the initiation for promoting "Bairagi" to "Apara Sanyasi" (superior caste of disciples in Mahima Sect) takes place.
Makar Mela
'Makar Sankranti' is celebrated with gusto in mid-January when the Sun enters the orbit of Capricorn. Sun God is worshipped with great fervour and enthusiasm by one and all.
The festival can be best enjoyed at Kalijai (an island in Chilika), Atri, Ghatgaon, Keonjhar, Jashipur and Jagatsinghpur.
Taratarini Mela
The 'Taratarini Mela' one of Orissa's biggest fairs, takes place on each Tuesdays of the month of 'Chaitra' i.e. from around mid-March to mid-April at Taratarini Pitha, 30-km from Berhampur. A grand congregation takes place on the 3rd Tuesday.
Chandrabhaga Fair
The Chandrabhaga Fair is one of the most popular and colorful fairs of Orissa. It is held on the seventh day of Magha (January-February) at a beach close to Konark in Orissa for seven days. The fair is held in honor of the Sun God, who is said to have cured Sri Krishna's son Shambhu from leprosy. Pilgrims from various parts of India and abroad congregate here every year to take a dip in the holy waters and offer their prayers to the Sun God.
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